Cool salads for hot summer days?

[Seasha]

I'm looking for more salad recipes for these hot summer days. I try to make one every other day or so and I'm running out of ideas. I am GF, but can get GF pasta.

Here's one I got from my niece - Don't know why it's called cowboy caviar, but it's good!

Cowboy Caviar

15 oz black eyed peas drained
11oz white corn drained
2 diced avocados
1/2 cup chopped tomato
2/3 cup green onion
2/3 chopped cilantro

Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic crushed
salt and pepper
1 tsp cumin

Just put the ingredients in a bowl and pour the dressing over it. Serve with chips or as a salad

[J-Bo]

Hi Seasha--I like your recipe. Beans/peas are a great addition to lots of things!

I don't usually use a recipe for salads, but here are some ingredient suggestions for changing it out a bit:

Aruguala, sliced pears, and a few shavings of some salty cheese like asiago--nice bitter, sweet, and salty combo

Orange sections & Belgian endive with a Dijon mustard dressing--very refreshing

Sliced or diced beets--nice color addition

Sunflower seeds, pepitas, or chopped pecans--a little protein and some texture variety

Hope those were some helpful ideas!

[Seasha]

Thanks J-Bo - these are good suggestions! I don't think about adding a touch of fruit in my salads anymore as my dh doesn't like the combo, but I could always add them to my portion.

I have arugula growing in my garden, but adding pears to them would soften out the more bitter taste - add salty cheese too - yum!

[KateA2]

Lentil Quinoa salad

1 dry cup green lentils, cook according to directions
1 dry cup quinoa, " "
1 packed cup minced parsley
1/2 cup minced cilantro
4 sliced radishes
5 sliced scallions
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in 1/2...or diced garden tomatoes
1 T fresh mint (1/2 t dried)

Dressing
4 T olive oil
2 T lemon juice
1 t salt
1 T sumac (get at Middle East grocery, online, or just add a bit moe lemon juice.)

Toss everything together, let sit for 30 minutes, then devour! Soooooo good.


Piaz

2 cups cooked cannelini beans
2 cups cooked edamame
5 sliced scallions
1 cup diced tomato
3 T minced parsley
10 pitted and sliced Castelvetrano olives

Dressing
4 T olive oil
1 T lemon juice
1/2 t salt
1/2 t Aleppo pepper (or 1/2 sharp paprika)
1 minced garlic clove

Good on top of romaine salad

[kmathis]

Bacon Ranch Salad

Bacon Ranch Salad

1 lb cooked diced bacon/or ham
1 bag DeVinnci Twist Noodles
2 lg cucumbers diced
2 lg tomatoes diced
1 onion
1 bottle Ranch dressing

Cool noodles under cold water. Drain well. Cut up cucumber and tomatoes place in very large bowl. Add the drained noodles, pour in the dressing and mix well. Chill before serving. Serves about 15 people.

[Seasha]

Thanks for the recipes, Kate and kmathis! They both looks yummy!

Kate - I love quinoa, but never thought to put it tog with lentils!
And what are Castelvetrano olives?

kmathis - I have lots of cukes and tomatoes ready to eat in my garden - have been making Caprese salads, but this sounds like a nice change. Even tho I shy away from meat, I do like bacon occasionally.

[KateA2]

Castelvetrano olives are a type of green olive. They are milder and buttery tasting.nyou can find fresh-cured at some delis...or in a jar at grocery store. Mezetta is a brand I've bought before. Bith of the salads will keep nicely for 2-3 days.